Riot Point TV ep 3: When all else fails, here's you lifebelt for the job interview

Job interviews: Judging by some recent conversations with a few of you, you’re not hitting the ratios you want. Consequently you’re feeling a little downhearted.

Good.

We’re going to change that today.

If you didn’t get the job, most interviewers won’t give you feedback. Often because they’re embarrassed about such things. Human beings are not set up for delivering bad news, particularly to someone with whom they have some kind of relationship.

You’re going to have test and see what works.

Let me give an analogy.

When a stand up comedian, say Joe Rogan, writes a routine, he tries out in front many audiences, he tests and re-crafts his material.

He’s listening for applause, but he also doesn’t mind boo’s, or silence. That’s good feedback.

He’s out there, probing and observing what happens. He’s not afraid to test stuff and he’s constantly seeking venues for those tests to take place.

With more experience, he gets to know what works and what doesn’t.

But here’s where you have an advantage over a stand-up comedian, you can research your audience and that’s your golden card.

I help companies with their recruitment, and here are 6 things which seem to distinguish the big hitters.

1. Think like a buyer. Put yourself in the other persons shoes.

What problem are they facing and how can you solve it? And with the least disruption to their team.

Believe me, it’s only in Hollywood will organisations tolerate a tortured genius. We want talent that fits in.

2. Provide proof that you’ve successfully solved a similar problem.

If you’re not sure what their problems are, always remember businesses are trying to do 3 things

- avoid loss

- make more customers

- keep existing customers longer.

If you’re mind goes blank, hold onto one of those lifebelts

3. Confirm something they know, tell them something they don’t.

Every top dog wants to feel they’ve inside track and they are always looking to learn more.

Teach one point which will be helpful to them.

4. Agree next steps.

Ask what will happen next.

Some interviews will answer

“If you don’t hear from us in the 2 weeks you should assume your application is not proceeding.”

Do not, I repeat, do not, accept this.

I heard one interviewee reply this way:

“I understand that is your process but I always think about this way.

If your family doctor said, “If you don’t hear from us in the 2 weeks you should assume everything is okay.

For the next two weeks you’d hear nothing. What if you missed the call.? Or if you suspect the mail deliverer has a vendetta against us because our Christmas gift to them was too small?You and I would be bitting our nails, pulling our hair out.

Let’s leave it like this. If I don’t hear anything after two weeks, I’ll call you and confirm the application is going no further”

To me that is a more professional way of handling the next steps.

5. Follow up.

If you really want to ensure your position is well understood, send a post-interview thank you note and bullet points on how you could improve their business performance——with low hassle.

Now I know you’ll be saying, but Iwan,

I don’t do many interviews, how can I practice?

Here’s my response.

You don’t get many interviews, but you do get a lot of opportunities to persuade another person to your way of thinking-and to take an action as a result.